Authors
1
1Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ahwaz, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract
Due to the intertwined ecological and human complexities of watersheds, achieving sustainable development requires interdisciplinary scientific approaches. This study aims to conceptually and analytically examine three interrelated approaches: eco-watershed management, ecohydrology, and ecotourism. The research employed a documentary and comparative analysis of national and international scientific sources. The findings reveal that eco-watershed management, as a transdisciplinary framework, facilitates the harmonization of human activities with ecological processes in watershed management while addressing the interactions among water, soil, vegetation, air, and humans. Ecohydrology focuses on understanding the dynamics between hydrological cycles and ecosystem functions, particularly the relationships between water and vegetation, whereas ecotourism emphasizes the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of local community lifestyles. The results suggest that ecohydrology and ecotourism can be considered subcomponents of eco-watershed management. Furthermore, eco-watershed management, as an emerging and integrative concept, possesses strong potential for development and practical application within the scientific and policy domains of watershed management. Overall, the study concludes that integrating these approaches can significantly enhance sustainable water resource management and promote the conservation of watershed ecosystems.
Keywords
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